Folding Bikes - How Often Do You See Other Folders On The Roads?

Boy I am in a "posting/writing mood" tonight!

It is rare, at least for me to see other folding bikes on the streets whenever I ride. Now this past week, I seen two riders on different days. I think it was the day before Christmas, I had just arrived from the store, and was standing in front of the building where I live, talking on the cellphone to a dear friend of mine. Right about the time we finished the call, this middle aged man on a Dahon (Boardwalk 6 or Speed D7) rides through. He was actually riding on the sidewalk and had a plastic grocery bag hanging off his handlebar.

Then a day or two later, I am riding on my favorite paved, multi-use bike trail, and while crossing an intersection, a fairly young woman is coming in the opposite direction also riding the same type of Dahon. We passed each other rather quick as I stated, we were crossing an intersection.

In both cases, I didn't get a chance to even wave at neither of the two riders, much less say "hi".

If I remember correctly, the last time I seen another folder rider was about three months ago, and there I had the chance to talk with her. Other than that, it's just not common.

With the exception of those of you who belong to some type of folding bicycle group, or have riding "buddies" on folders, how often do you see other folding bikes on the street or roads in your area? I think we're a small minority amongst cyclists. What do you all think?

Regards,
Edward

None, where I'm from! In fact, I even overheard a couple of cyclists conversing in a LBS... expressing their dislike of them...

Folda-phobia!! :lol:

During the riding months I saw an ever increasing number of folders here that ranged anywhere from new models to vintage Raleigh 20's...

I was somewhat responsible for the increase in R20's as I refurbished and sold quite a number of them at our co-op while a number of our LBS's seemed to be selling a good number of the newer models.

I have yet to see another folder in my area. I do get lots of stare when I ride my Carryme though. :D

Two people with whom I was taking a spanish class had folders----prompted me to look into them. So, I bought one a few months back. Love it! To answer your question, I never see them on the streets of DC. But then again, I'm not out on mine every day either.

In Tokyo you see them every 2 seconds. In my middle of america town, every 2 years.

Saw another dahon at school this one time, right in front of the psych building (my home :p). Boy was I surprised!

I run into another guy on a boardwalk on Sunset every other day or so, but we usually just stare at each other. I run into some other guys on stridas and downtubes on the metro occasionally. All in all, I'd say I see other folder riders about 3x a week when I am up and about, not counting the foldy rides.

Lots in central london and hardly ever on the outskirts where I live.

Yep I live in Okinawa and you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a folding bike. 95% of them are department store foldies that cost $150 or so.

Still, everyone rides them. Young, old, in between.

John

I see a LOT of Dahons and Bromptons on the Hudson River Greenway (MUP) here in NYC. A few Xootrs and once or twice, a Strida. A few Downtubes - mostly 9FS models.

Yep I live in Okinawa and you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a folding bike. 95% of them are department store foldies that cost $150 or so.

Still, everyone rides them. Young, old, in between.

John

I pretty much expected that Japan, especially major cities, folding bikes would be very common, and that London England would come in second.

America still has to get over it's stigma that bikes are purely "recreational" vehicles, or worse yet, "toys". Then we might see a marked increase of folders, city bikes, and even more cargo bikes out on our streets, and roads.

Regards,
Edward

In NYC, they probably make up 10-20% of the riders I see around.

It makes sense that cities with high population density (like okinawa) have high folder ridership, since density comes with:
-Public Transit
-Greater (general) probability of bike theft
-Small apartments

When I got my folder earlier this year, I could only recall having seen one other person on a folder. Now, I'm seeing them more and more frequently on the streets of DC. I get a lot of people asking me about my folder. I was on the Metro a few weeks ago and some guy was staring at me with my little bike as he was looking at something on his iPHONE. After a few minutes, he finally came over to me and said, "I'm looking at these bikes online right now and am going to order one. Which do you recommend?" We proceeded to have a long conversation about the various models and what he would be using it for. Like me, he wanted something he could ride to the Metro station, take on board with him, and use at the other end of his commute. I believe he ended up deciding on the Dahon Mu.

Anyway, in DC (where living space is slightly cramped and people in the 'burbs often have long, complicated commutes to work) folders are starting to become more and more popular. I have seen several people on the MARC commuter train with folders and even a few riding Metro with them. To edwong3's post, I do think that people are starting to realize that bikes (and folders in particular) are great things to have to use in lieu of a car. Folding bikes can offer a great solution for those who want to take their "car" wherever they go. I use my folding bike almost daily, for commuting and running errands. I could live without my car far more easily than I could live without my folding bike!

They are very rare here.

Pretty rare here too (Newcastle upon Tyne - UK). Maybe 1% of the bikes I see are folders. I have taken to riding my Strida knock off only at night because it attracts so many stares. I ride my Brompton knock off by day (about ten miles a day at the moment). I see plenty of bikes, but only large cumbersome ones, uually with fat, soft tyres with heavy treads brrrrrrr ing along smooth tarmac road surfaces and wasting a lot of rider energy.

^ Hmmm... the "night-strida"... has a super-hero ring to it... :D

^ Hmmm... the "night-strida"... has a super-hero ring to it... :D

I have a knock off superhero cape made in Hong Kong from the finest possible materials, and shipped here specially for the sum of $5 inc shipping and taxes.

As you can see, I really do know how to live the high life.

Well, the time is 22.10.... Time for a night patrol before bed I think. I will pierce the dark with my eeire blue strida headlight and rustle along with only the feint whir of toothed drive belt on plastic and the hiss of my silk cape in the breeze.

Wrongdoers had better look out when the Night-Strida is about.

We made a short wideo of my son riding fast on a 20" folder around sunset, wearing a full Darth Vader outfit- helmet, cape and all. Great fun. Now the phone this s on is lost, but we may do it again..

^ EvilV, I hope the colour of the knickers you wear over your lycra tights don't clash with your cape?!?? I mean, you're only a superhero if they match!... If they clash... well... God help you!



:D

"Wrongdoers had better look out when the Night-Strida is about."


I almost feel sorry for them.

I've seen exactly one (1) folder on the road, during the Denton Turkey Roll this year.

I see Dahons fairly often, occasionally other ones too.

Ran into a couple of Birdy owners when I was riding mine around Singapore. :beer:

For some reason I see only the most exotic folders around here. I've seen:
Moulton
Birdy
Tikit
Downtube Mini
Brompton

No, Sir. Not the Dahons they sell in the shops.


I have a knock off superhero cape made in Hong Kong from the finest possible materials, and shipped here specially for the sum of $5 inc shipping and taxes.

You are the knockoff king. Must be crying in your cheerios over the sinking pound.

Just a few minutes ago, I came out of the local supermarket after doing some quick late night shopping, and as I walked towards the bike parking rack, I saw a Strida, or most probably a "knock off" parked right next to my folder. The reason why I believe it was a "knock off" is because I didn't see any decals that identified it as a Strida. I purposely took my time putting my helmet on, and then my grocery filled backpack. I even prolonged unlocking, and putting away my u-lock but the owner was still in the store I guess. I rode away slowly looking back, and the bike was still by itself. I wanted to ask the owner how he/she liked their bike. Maybe next time.

That makes 3 folders total, even though this last one was not being ridden at the moment, that I've seen in the past 7 days. That's a record for me! Maybe there's hope after all:D

Cheers,
Edward

For some reason I see only the most exotic folders around here. I've seen:
Moulton
Birdy
Tikit
Downtube Mini
Brompton

No, Sir. Not the Dahons they sell in the shops.



You are the knockoff king. Must be crying in your cheerios over the sinking pound.

Naaaa - I just gather my treasures close around me, hold a candle over them and stroke them with my long greasy fingers like a miser.

I got pwn3d by a lady on a foldie once, going uphill no less. It was very humbling.

I do like the idea of tossing a couple of foldies in the trunk for a road trip though. Beats driving 250 miles with a bike rack!

I regularly see a guy with a Dahon Speed Pro at the main railway station and quite a few Bromptons. There is a girl with a white Birdy (nice) that I see occasionally. There is also a guy with a blue Bike Friday Tikit... in fact the first time I saw him walking down the platform with it I shouted from the train door “that’s the first Bike Friday Tikit I’ve ever seen”... I think he was both surprised and pleased that I knew what it was.

While I myself own 3 folders, they are a rare sight in my part of town. Once in a while I spot a Dahon-usually the 20 inch inexpensive models. There is one Montague Swiss that does not fit the rider around here. I seen a Montague Hummer that gets locked up in front of a local library periodically. I only spotted Bromptons twice. One way before I purchased mine and one soon after I bought mine. So it gets a bit lonely around here. I usually change my mind when I can blend my bikes aboard any bus or train any time day or night. If there were other folders, I probably would end up waiting for another bus as the cabins will fill up with even these compact wonders!

There is a girl with a white Birdy (nice) that I see occasionally.


Is that the birdy or the bird, you're talking about inside the brackets?
:lol:

With the exception of those of you who belong to some type of folding bicycle group, or have riding "buddies" on folders, how often do you see other folding bikes on the street or roads in your area?

Regards,
Edward

In winter time - never.
In summer time - twice a week, but getting more frequent every year.

I see quite a few in Penn Station in Newark, and there are a ton of them around when I'm in NYC. On the streets of Highland Park and nearby towns, not so many; mine is almost the only folder I've seen in my area.

...almost forgot, I saw a lot of them in Florida, particularly in Key West. That includes one that looks like it was retrofitted with a motor.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/3153951636_0d894baf56.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/3153951636/)

...almost forgot, I saw a lot of them in Florida, particularly in Key West. That includes one that looks like it was retrofitted with a motor.


And with aflat rear tyre :o

I got pwn3d by a lady on a foldie once, going uphill no less. It was very humbling.

That wasn't a yellow Birdy by any chance, was it? :innocent: :p

Is that the birdy or the bird, you're talking about inside the brackets?
:lol:

Hmmm I think the bike was a Birdy City model..... the girl had shoulder length blond hair and wore black Lycra cycling shorts with purple side panels...... she was erm, “fit” :thumb:

She told me that she had brought the bike over from Germany with her.

Foldings bikes are quite common in german cities, but they're just a small percentage among other bicycles. I bought a folding bike for 200€ (made by MIFA) about 2-3years ago, after my Cannondale MTB was stolen. My budget was small and I wanted something that I can put in the trunk of my car and that never gets stolen or rusty, because I can keep it in the house.
These bikes are widespread because they're for sale once a year at the popular supermarkets (Aldi) and coffe shops (Tchibo) for 180-300€.
I didn't know about Dahon or Brompton back then. (now I read everywhere that the cheapest folder I should buy is a Dahon)
My bike is made in Germany, came with perfectly adjusted wheels (Nirosta spokes and Schwalbe Silento II tyres), lights and brakes and is pretty solid. The locking mechanisms doesn't look as elegant as that of a Dahon but it's trustworthy nonetheless (after years of use the bike still feels like new). I love the principle of folding bikes, but always looked at the folding mechanism as a weak spot, so I ride the bike accordingly, meaning that I always sit while pushing the pedals but I get my ass up when there's a hole in the street that I can't avoid.
I mostly use it for visiting friends when I intend to drink alcohol (kinda illegal, but the police doesn't mind around here), for shopping or when I bring my car to a mechanic and pick it up again.
I kinda live in three different states, so being able to take the bike where I go is a big advantage.

I've never seen a commuter with a folding bike in Germany. But then again, I don't ride the train in the morning, so how could I?
I think most people buy folding bikes because they can keep them in the house or in the car.
Though folders are common here, you get the obligatory "Look, the man is riding a bike for children" from time to time. :rolleyes:
But you'll also get the obligatory "How can you be so FAST uphill with that tiny bike??! I couldn't catch up no matter how hard I tried!". :roflmao2:

Hmmm I think the bike was a Birdy City model..... the girl had shoulder length blond hair and wore black Lycra cycling shorts with purple side panels...... she was erm, “fit” :thumb:

She told me that she had brought the bike over from Germany with her.

Hmmmm... universal pick-up line amongst fodies... "Hi, that's a rare bike, where did you get it?" ** <looks up and down her long, blonde, folding bike with purple side panels>**



. . . .
:love:

Hmmm I think the bike was a Birdy City model..... the girl had shoulder length blond hair and wore black Lycra cycling shorts with purple side panels...... she was erm, “fit” :thumb:

She told me that she had brought the bike over from Germany with her.

Right, so we can say nice bike and nice girl then.

Foldings bikes are quite common in german cities, but they're just a small percentage among other bicycles. I bought a folding bike for 200€ (made by MIFA) about 2-3years ago, after my Cannondale MTB was stolen. My budget was small and I wanted something that I can put in the trunk of my car and that never gets stolen or rusty, because I can keep it in the house.
These bikes are widespread because they're for sale once a year at the popular supermarkets (Aldi) and coffe shops (Tchibo) for 180-300€.
I didn't know about Dahon or Brompton back then. (now I read everywhere that the cheapest folder I should buy is a Dahon)
My bike is made in Germany, came with perfectly adjusted wheels (Nirosta spokes and Schwalbe Silento II tyres), lights and brakes and is pretty solid. The locking mechanisms doesn't look as elegant as that of a Dahon but it's trustworthy nonetheless (after years of use the bike still feels like new). I love the principle of folding bikes, but always looked at the folding mechanism as a weak spot, so I ride the bike accordingly, meaning that I always sit while pushing the pedals but I get my ass up when there's a hole in the street that I can't avoid.
I mostly use it for visiting friends when I intend to drink alcohol (kinda illegal, but the police doesn't mind around here), for shopping or when I bring my car to a mechanic and pick it up again.
I kinda live in three different states, so being able to take the bike where I go is a big advantage.

I've never seen a commuter with a folding bike in Germany. But then again, I don't ride the train in the morning, so how could I?
I think most people buy folding bikes because they can keep them in the house or in the car.
Though folders are common here, you get the obligatory "Look, the man is riding a bike for children" from time to time. :rolleyes:
But you'll also get the obligatory "How can you be so FAST uphill with that tiny bike??! I couldn't catch up no matter how hard I tried!". :roflmao2:

Hi Arnie.

We have something in common - riding drunk... :)

I don't mean DRUNK of course, and I know what you mean just fine - riding after a couple of drinks which you can't do with a car of course. I would NEVER drive my car after ANY alcohol, but I ride my folders home after a few beers and certainly after as much as up to a bottle of wine (but no more). I can do that without any danger to anyone and I have never had any problem. It's great, I can go around to my lady friend's house, like tonight, share a bottle of wine and ride home in five minutes when it would take me at least fifteen to walk it. The alternative would be to call a taxi - but why bother when I can ride and sing a song at the same time. LOL.

I don't think I have seen your posts before, so welcome to the forum - and happy riding.

Thanks for the welcome!
There were times when I visited friends by car, then decided to drink a few beers and get the bike out of the trunk to ride home. The next day I used the bike to get the car back.
Of course this option was another reason why I chose a folding bike. ;)

I've only seen three other folders around my area in the past two years, a BF, Downtube and another R20.

Here in the UK folders are getting common, certainly central london the home of the Brompton they are everywhere, over Christmas I was riding my Brompton along a cycle path in Wales and was surprised at the number of folders we saw of all makes

Saw an English fellow riding by, red light on my end, major wind on his. I HAD to catch him and say "Hi".

Green light, turn left, MAJOR headwind. This is where my drop bar comes in. I tucked in tight and sooner than I had imagined, I was riding on his wheel. (Must have been really hard for him with that wind.) Said "Hi" at the next stop, from the UK, wanted to know how to get to the mall.

Unfortunately, that was a right turn. =/ Brief meeting, good times had by all. I think it was either a I think it was a Brompton.

I've been here in Florida for a couple years and I've only noticed two couples on folders. The last couple I saw was exactly a month ago. After talking with them, they might've been the same as the first couple I saw. Anyway, that's when I started looking into it and immediately got hooked. I would think a lot more people would have them if they knew more about them. Then again, unfortunately a lot of Americans weigh beyond the recommended ~215LB limit...

Here on the commuter train in SF Bay I see about 3-5 each day. Lots of Dahons, DTs, Brommies and Tikits.

In Antwerp, Belgium folders are becoming very popular. Brompton's cross my path every morning. Dahons are common as well, as are the Chinese cheap folders. Haven't seen too many Birdy-riders : too pricy !

Pretty much never see one here. When I visit other cities I see quite a few. In DC, San Francisco, and New York I saw a lot.

Lots here in NYC. They used to be a bit scarce a few years ago though.

Lots here in NYC. They used to be a bit scarce a few years ago though.

+1. Lots of Bromptons and Dahons. Over the years I've seen three Strida's (other than my own, that is-- and it may have been the same one three times), three Raleigh Twenty's, one RSW-16, one Mobiky (I used to see that guy all the time, but now I haven't seen him in a while), one Birdy (I see him pretty frequently), and one Downtube (other than my own).

When at the region's running/cycling mecca -- the trails of White Rock Lake, Dallas, Texas USA, I routinely see a couple riding their matching FB NWTs. I've done the 180 and ridden with them a couple of times (on my Downtube 8FS). They are a wonderfully pleasant couple, who ride there almost every day. Don't recall noticing too many other folders, but I bet some are out there.

I've done the intermodal commute to work probably 100 times, and I've never seen anyone else with a folder on the train. But I'm going AWAY from downtown in the mornings, so people are allowed full size bikes (since the trains are so lightly loaded in that direction). We're not supposed to have full size bikes on the train during morning or evening rush hour.

My brother picked up a used BF Pocket Rocket Pro in perfect condition for under $1,000 US. What a steal! Thanks to Richardson Bike Mart. That thing is a real rocket ship.

#########

Thanks Jur, for your engineering genius, and always being there.... And thanks to the many other routine contribuitors.

#########

And a little off-topic, my quickie bike reviews:

Swift
Shamano 8 red line hub and Thudbuster (lively, quick, and comfortable). Other than the wife and child, it has become a current "love of my life." In it's current config, it's a multi-purpose bike. I ordered the Crossrack and eleven81 grocery bag yesterday.

Donwntube 8FS
Rigged upright, for the most casual riding and 12-pack/grocery/hardware hauling. Rear suspension tightend down pretty stiff. Sram trigger and Deore d have made the ride a thousand times more enjoyable. In it's current configuration, it doesn't have enough top end to be a serious "flatland" bike. But it has provided some very pleasant years of riding,,, enough that I bought a second one for "the lake house" in the woods.

Raleigh SC40 (26" comfort bike)
Another Thudbuster. I've got a lot of miles (commuting and pleasure) and some wonderful history on this one. It too is rigged up for comfort. The Big Apples are worn to the point of needing replacemet, and will be replaced with something like maybe Marathon 1.5s. I did really enjoy the Apples, but having added the Thudbuster will allow me to grab back some additional intimacy with the road that the Apples so aptly dampen.

##

And one last note:

I have gotten years of good service from a Topeak QR rack / trunk bag / panner frame rig. It's graced both the DT and Raleigh for years. It's handled light credit card touring, and hauled the laptop, a lot of groceries, beer, etc, etc. Cheers to those engineers. They've sure added a lot of dependable convenience to my commuting and playtime.

If it wasn't for the larger seat post, the Topeak rig would be spending time on the Swift as well.

Bob G.
Dallas, Tx